Chinese

The aim of Spoken Chinese is to enhance the proficiency of oral communication by learning common vocabularies and sentences.

Basic Class: Mainly for students with zero Chinese ability, or at the stage of learning Pinyin, common Chinese characters and simple Chinese words and sentences.
 

This course consists mainly of the translation from classical Chinese into English, and hence students must have at least a working knowledge of both these languages. The secondary focus of this course is to develop academic writing skills, knowledge of translation theory and practice, and enhancing students’ knowledge of the historical and cultural background of the texts read in class. This course introduces the characteristic features of traditional culture of China, and investigates their significance on the contemporary Chinese society. Specifically, the course focuses on the relationship between the traditional cultural heritage and the contemporary China. Besides, it covers general ideas of the main texts on Chinese literary, history, and philosophy. In addition, some archeological and anthropological research are introduced for relevant issues. This course also introduces students to key ideas in translation theory and practice, which are relevant to anyone working in a multi-lingual environment. Students are encouraged to consider the problems of both the source text and the target language, and guided in strategies towards overcoming these difficulties. This course also introduces English language academic writing, aimed at students of Chinese language and literature.

The texts read in class consist of selected chapters of the Ming dynasty classic historical novel, the Dongzhou lieguo zhi 東周列國志 (Romance of the Kingdoms and States of the Eastern Zhou) by Feng Menglong 馮夢龍 (1574-1645). The period in history covered by this novel (771-221 BCE) is crucial in the history and culture of East Asia, and it provides a highly readable, interesting and historically accurate portrayal of the era. This novel is also important in that it consistently stresses the cultural importance of these events, and their ongoing significance for later Chinese history right up to modern times. In addition to translation, students will be expected to discuss issues raised in the text, and to defend their ideas in discussion in class.